Trace State Park
Trace State Park offers a quiet, natural retreat located just minutes from the excitement of Tupelo, one of Mississippi's fastest growing cities. Trace State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities ranging from fishing and water sports to exploring miles of secluded nature trails. Trace State Park also adds to Mississippi's History as within the park was once called the home of one America's early and colorful pioneers, Davy Crockett. Crockett lived here as a horse trader with the Chickasaw Indians after his defeat for re-election to Congress in his home state of Tennessee. It was while living here he learned of his friend, Sam Houston's plight in Texas and traveled there to help and was later killed in the Battle of the Alamo.
Park Directions and Map
Please note: If using driving devices such as Garmin, etc. please check settings as they may bring you to the park using narrow, winding, dirt roads. Most have settings as "shortest distance" instead of "quickest route." If your device does not show you entering park via MS Hwy 6/278 routes, you are most likely coming in the less desirable way.
From Natchez Trace Parkway - North or South Bound - Take exit at mile post 259.7 for MS Hwy 6 / 278/ West main St. (see signs for Trace State Park). Travel West for 7.5- miles (8-min.), be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turn right onto Faulkner Road/ CR65 travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
From Memphis - US-78 and drive 74.5 - miles (1-hr 15-min.). Take exit #64 onto MS Hwy 15 South (New Albany 3rd Exit) travel South for 12.8-miles (17 min.) to Pontotoc, MS. Take MS HWY 6/278 ( go under four lane Hwy and take left) travel East for 8.7-miles (10-min.), exit right at exit reading "Tupelo Exit" (back onto Old MS Hwy 6) travel about 1.1-mile (1-min.), turning left onto Faulkner Road/CR 65 for 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
From Birmingham AL - Exit US-78 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 85- Natchez Trace Parkway" and go south (left turn) 3.9 miles 95-min.) to MS Hwy 6/278/ West Main St. - mile post 259.7 exit will be on right (see signs for Trace State Park). Take right traveling west for 7.5-miles ( 8- min.), be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turn right onto Faulkner Road/ CR65 travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 78 at Belden Exit - Take exit 81 (Belden exit). Go approximately 1.5 - miles (3-min.) to the third traffic light (Shell Gas Garden on corner) and take a right on Coley Road. Travel Coley Road to 3rd red light 3.4-miles (6-min.), which will be MS Hwy 6/278/West Main St. intersection take right onto (west). West Main St./MS Hwy 6/278 travel 6.7-miles (7-min.) to Faulkner Road/CR 65 looking for Trace State Park sign on right and turning right, travel 2-miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 45 from the south (Columbus, Meridian, West Point) - Take the Eason Boulevard exit. This is the same exit as Itawamba Community College, University of Mississippi Tupelo Campus, and North Miss. Medical Center. Turn left on Eason Boulevard which changes names to Cliff Gookin after crossing 145 intersection dive approximately 6-miles (13-min.). Take left onto West Main/ MS Hwy 6/278, travel 6.7-miles west, be looking for Trace State Park signs on right and turning right onto Faulkner Road/CR 65, travel 2 miles until arrive at Trace State Park Entrance/Office.
Arriving on Highway 45 from the north (Corinth) - Take Tupelo Exit for MS 145, take Natchez Trace South until reach MS Hwy 6/278 main (mile post 259.7). Turn Right on MS- 6/278 heading west. Follow MS-6/278 for 6.7 miles to Co. Rd. 65/Faulkner Rd/CR 65. Turn right on CR 65/Faulkner Rd traveling 2-miles until you see Trace State Park Entrance/Park Office.
Other helpful exits - Natchez Trace Parkway Exits
- Tupelo Visitors Center/Offices - Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 266.0.
- MS Hwy 62/278/West Main St. Exit - Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 259.7
- Verona/(Black Zion) Exit - Natchez Trace parkway at milepost 255.1
MS Hwy 78/ Interstate 22
- New Albany to MS 15 - Exit #64
- Sherman - Exit #76
- McCullough Blvd/ MS Hwy 178 - Exit #81
- Toyota ( Blue Springs) - Exit #73
- Natchez Trace Exit - Exit #85 Mile post on trace - 259.7
Day Use
A day use entry fee is charged to all day use visitors.
- Entrance fee $2.00 per person, 5 years of age and under - free
Things to Do
A variety of recreational activities and facilities are available at Trace State Park. Facilities for use include two playground areas, picnic sites, a large picnic pavilion and a laundry facility. Recreation activities include disc golf, non-motorized and motorized trails and access to a bordering 18-hole golf course. Water activities include a 565 acre lake.
Places to Stay
Trace State Park offers 76 developed camping sites, 16 tent sites, 5 cabins, and 3 cottages.
Things to Know
Mississippi State Park Fees, Rules, and Regulations
Area Attractions
The following attractions are located within a short drive of Trace State Park. The park staff will be happy to provide you with directions.
Trace State Park Brochure (PDF)
- Tupelo Buffalo Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway Visitors Center (Tupelo)
- Birthplace of Elvis Presley (Tupelo)
- Tupelo City Museum (Tupelo)
- Elvis Presley State Lake (Tupelo)
- Lake Lamar Bruce State Lake (Saltillo)
- Barnes Crossing Mall (Tupelo)
- Tombigbee State Park
- Tombigbee National Forest
- Holly Springs National Forest
- Adkins Farms (Booneville)
- Brice's Cross Roads Civil War Museum and Battlefield (Baldwyn)
- Tupelo National Battlefield (Tupelo)
- Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area
- Chickasaw Wildlife Management Area
- Pontotoc County Museum (Old Post Office-Pontotoc)
- Pontotoc County Historic Tour, Drive at your own pace brochure/map. (PDF)
- Union County Heritage Museum (New Albany)
- William Faulkner Birthplace and Literary Garden(New Albany)
- Mississippi Blues Markers and Related exhibit at Union County Heritage Museum (New Albany)
- City of New Albany
- NOTE: Bordering, but not affiliated with the park, is the Pontotoc Country Club's 18-hole golf course. Green fees are waived for cabin and campground guests of Trace State Park. Contact the park.
Annual Events
February
Boat Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Spring Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)
March
Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
April
Azalea Festival (Tupelo Veterans Park)
Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Spring Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
May
Gum Tree Festival (Tupelo Downtown)
Tupelo Film Festival (Tupelo Downtown)
Down From the Hills annual State of Mississippi Bluegrass Competition. Fiddle, Dobro, Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin, youth and adult. www.mississippifiddlers.com , Union County Fairgrounds
June
Tupelo Elvis Festival (Tupelo Downtown)
Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Children's Discovery Day/ Living History and Skirmish
(Brice's Crossroads National Battlefield)
July
Pontotoc County Fair (Pontotoc)
August
Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Fall Tupelo Furniture Market (Tupelo)
September
Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Bodock Festival (Pontotoc Downtown Square Area)
Sportsman's Bonanza (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Heritage Pioneer Days - Living history and lots of hands on fun. Come and experience life in the past lane with old time games, live music, basket weaving, textile arts including quilting, spinning and weaving; and lots more!
October
Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
November
Tupelo Flea Market (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
Tupelo Flea Market Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
December
Rudolph Run 10K (Pontotoc) info. (662) 488-0531
Tupelo Flea Market & Gun Show (Tupelo Furniture Market Buildings)
